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Well this was the last
day of our expedition. We were quite confident of our abilities to cross
the notorious Banks Strait with its very strong tidal rips but you should
never be complacent with the sea. We had been hoping for some decent
northerlies for our crossing but this morning it was easterly. This
would initially make it difficult to sail as we had to head east down
the coast of Clarke Island before turning to cross the Strait. Once
again we were going to use the tide to our advantage
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The weather wa rather
overcast and gloomy as we prepared to depart. It would take us about
6 hours to cover the 36km to Little Musselroe Bay on the Tasmanian coast.
If we got it right we should zip down the side of Clarke Island with
the outgoing tide and then be brought back to little Musselroe with
the beginning of the flooding tide.
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After initially losing
Ian somewher near Spike Bay( he'd landed to change his mast), we grouped
up again to cross the Strait. At one stage we were hooted at by a large
passenger ship as it cruised by. We often see this type of ship here
at this time of the year. Once we heard a request to search for a missing
crewman who had fallen overboard as the ship passed throught the Strait.
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The currnet was taking
us quickly eastward toward Swan Island and with the freshing easterly
wind and our sails up we were making good time. Behind us lay Lookout
Head on Clarke Island, once a favourite spot for whalers and sealers
who operated in these waters.
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As the tide changed we
got close to Little Swan Island with its breeding ground for Pelicans.
A few minutes were spent having a drink and nibble before heading out
to Little Musselroe just a few kilometers away.
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The tide was still quite
low as we got to Little Musselroe River. Some managed to charge across
the sand bar at the mouth of the river but others couldn't see for their
sails and ran aground.
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Well here we are, back
in Tassie after a successful Bass Strait crossing. We had been exceptionally
lucky with the weather and conditions. Don't assume that these photos
and trip report give any idea of what Bass Strait can be like. Always
plan for the worst scenario. The obligatory"fizz" as the congratulatory
bottle of coke was opened was a familiar sound.
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After returning to Bridport
for a welcome shower and feed Matt went back out to Little Musselroe to
pick up the NSW paddlers. They all returned to my place in Bridport and
we had a counter meal followed by many discussions about various aspects
of the trip. Hudson, Rob, Graham and Ian expressed an interest in our
west coast trip to be held in a couple of years.
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Matt, Ian, Jamie, Phil
and I of the Matasuyker Canoe Club were pleased with our trip. We had
learn't a great deal about group management and were very thankful for
the terrific weather conditions encountered. If you want to see more
action on this trip I did make a 50 minute video of the high lights.
Details of purchase are available on my
web site.
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